Supervisor Preston pushes for 3600 affordable housing units via Faircloth program in San Francisco

In a recent meeting, Supervisor Preston urged the San Francisco Housing Authority to take significant steps toward addressing the city's affordable housing crisis. He proposed leveraging the Faircloth to RAD program, which could potentially create over 3,600 new deeply affordable rental units. This initiative aims to enhance the city’s housing stock and provide much-needed support for residents struggling with housing costs.

The Faircloth to RAD program allows traditional housing authorities to fill out a detailed survey to outline their development plans, with a deadline set for September 30, 2024. This program is designed to help cities like San Francisco develop new housing or improve existing buildings to increase affordability. The Housing Authority is currently collaborating with the Mayor's Office of Housing and Community Development to explore the best strategies for utilizing this program effectively.

While other cities, such as Boston and Los Angeles, have made strides in similar initiatives, San Francisco recognizes that a one-size-fits-all approach does not apply. Each jurisdiction has unique needs and circumstances, and the Housing Authority is committed to finding tailored solutions that work for the local community.

In addition to exploring new developments, the Housing Authority has been actively issuing housing vouchers, with over 1,000 new vouchers distributed in recent years. This includes project-based vouchers for developments like City Gardens, representing a significant investment in affordable housing.

The resolution to move forward with the Faircloth to RAD program is expected to be presented to the board shortly, with plans to solicit bids from contractors on how best to implement the program. However, the Housing Authority is proceeding cautiously, ensuring thorough research and consideration of potential constraints and concerns.

Importantly, the Faircloth to RAD program is not set to expire in 2024; it is anticipated to continue until at least 2028 or 2029, allowing for ongoing opportunities to develop affordable housing solutions. The Housing Authority is dedicated to being part of the solution to San Francisco's housing challenges, working closely with city partners to maximize the impact of available resources.